Dundowran, Hervey Bay, QLD

While staying in Hervey Bay we took the opportunity to check out a couple of places in nearby Dundowran.


Ted and Maud Mungomery Vine Forest Reserve.

The Vine Forest Reserve is less than 15 minutes from Hervey Bay. We parked at the end of Cissus Court, Dundowran at an entrance to the reserve. We walked north until we arrived at a secluded beach.

Dundowran Beach

About halfway along the return walk we took a trail to the west before retracing our steps. We didn't see a lot of birds on this visit but it was a steamy 36 degrees Celsius and the mosquitoes were ferocious. We did see some indications that the bird life here is very interesting. This reserve is reputed to be good for sightings of vulnerable Black-breasted Button-quail and on the central trail we saw a large number of platelets which indicated their presence. The area looked to us to be ideal for Noisy Pittas and there were several old and new snail shells lying in the leaf litter which seemed promising.

One of many snail shells

We also heard the raucous calls of a Channel-billed Cuckoo although we were unable to see it. The reserve is definitely worth a revisit next time we are up this way, preferably early in the morning.

Entrance to the Vine Forest Reserve

Arkarra Lagoons

Arkarra Lagoons, Dundowran

From the Vine Forest Reserve it is only a very short drive to Arkarra Lagoons and Wetland Reserve. The Arkarra Tea Gardens are next door but they were closed when we went there. We parked in Panorama Drive and walked the 840m Lagoons Circuit followed by the 600m Wetlands Circuit.

What's a lagoon without a few waterlilies?

Short-necked Turtle

Bar-shouldered Dove
 

Swamp Tiger Danaus affinis
 

Hairy Line-blue, female Erysichton lineata

I'm guessing that these are Magpie Geese hybrids

There were also lots of Magpie Geese about but we didn't get any great photos of them, which is a shame because they are such a stately looking bird.

Hervey Bay, QLD

When we arrived in Hervey Bay, late in the afternoon, we were surprised how quite it was with plenty of accommodation available even though it was the Christmas school holidays. In the winter it gets very busy and it is necessary to book accommodation and powered sites in advance.

After settling in to our accommodation we headed to the Esplanade for some fish and chips. It is very pleasant to sit on a picnic table with views of the ocean and one of several small piers along the waterfront. 

We were pleased to see a number of Cockatiels come in to roost as the light was fading.

One of the many nice things about Hervey Bay is taking a stroll along the beach as the sun sets.  

On our walk to historic Urangan Pier we saw a gecko and a Rhinoceros Beetle.

Breakwall to Urangan Pier

Gecko

Rhinoceros Beetle Xylotrupes ulysses

This blog is a little on the skimpy side because our computer went to computer heaven and we are in the middle of setting up a new one. 

All the photos in this blog were taken in December 2014.

Point Vernon, QLD.

Point Vernon

Point Vernon is one of our favourite places. We like to park in Corser Street (opposite house Number 8) where there is an Osprey nest in a tree.  There are also many trees along the foreshore with nesting holes that attract a large number and variety of birds. This trip we walked south along the waterfront and wetland area towards Eli Creek. Then we walked north via Parraweena Park and returned to the car. This is a great walk because it covers three distinct habitat areas.

Corser Street

Osprey with its catch.

This pair of Rainbow Lorikeets were nesting just above the Osprey nest.

Rainbow Lorikeet

Galah in one of the many nesting holes.

Common Koel, male

Common Koel, female (front)

Common Koel, female (back)

Bearded Dragon

Rain Lilies

View near the parking area.

Foreshore

Tidal flats on the walk south (looking north).

Bar-tailed Godwit

Pacific Golden Plover

Eastern Curlew

Striated Heron

Parraweena Park

There were lots of butterflies in the forested park but we were unable to get a photo of two darker types that wouldn't settle.

Lemon Migrant Catopsilia pomona

White Migrant, female Catosilia pyranthe

Crested Pigeon

Australasian Figbird, male

Australasian Figbird, female

After our walk we drove around the headland stopping at Gatakers Bay before driving along the eastern side of Point Vernon. 

Gatakers Bay

Seaplane taking off from Gatakers Bay

View south from Gatakers Bay

Gatakers Bay Boat Ramp.

Elsa Park, Southern Entrance.

There is an artificial nesting platform between the northern and southern entrance to Elsa Park. An adult osprey and chick were in the nest and another adult was in a tree along the foreshore.

Pandanas Tree Pandanus tectorius and picnic shelter.

Parking area and picnic shelter at southern entrance to Elsa Park.

An adult Osprey on the foreshore.

All the photos in this blog were taken in December 2014.